1993 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 137

Your Driving and the Road Variable Effort Steering (omoN) This steering system provides lighter steering effort for parking and low at vehicle speeds. Steering effort will increase at higher speeds for improved road feel. Steering Tips-Driving on Curves It's important to take curvesat a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentionedon the news happen on curves. Here's why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same lawsof physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels.If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. The tractionyou can get in a curve depends on the condition your tires of and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you're steering througha sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems-steering and acceleration-can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you losecontrol. What shouldyou do if this ever happens? Let up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the you way want it to go, and slow down. 8 . 8 136